Stuffed Crab Shells

Ingredients

• 12 crabs
• 1 cup milk or cream
• 1½ tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon flour
• 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon paprika or dash of cayenne
• ½ teaspoon lemon juice
• 4 hard-boiled egg yolks
• 1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water
• white bread crumbs
• vegetable oil for frying

Method

1. 1 Boil crabs, remove meat carefully, and reserve 9 shells.
2. 2 Scald milk in a double boiler; whisk in flour and butter until thickened.
3. 3 Stir in mashed egg yolks, parsley, salt, paprika, and lemon juice.
4. 4 Fold in crab meat and adjust seasoning to taste.
5. 5 Fill washed shells with mixture, smooth top, and chill.
6. 6 Brush with egg wash, sprinkle with bread crumbs, and fry in hot oil until golden.